Double Champion, Side Character? – WWE Raw 2/9/26 Review
Dominik Mysterio holds two championships — yet Monday Night Raw treated him like Liv Morgan’s plus-one.
We break down the 2/9/26 episode: Dom handing out roses and translating for Stephanie Vaquer, Raquel Rodriguez fading into the background, Finn Balor stepping up against CM Punk, and why the Liv vs Stephanie feud needs Judgment Day to survive.
Plus: AJ Lee’s return, Rhea Ripley qualifying for Elimination Chamber, LA Knight advancing, and the multiverse chaos of El Grande Americano.
Wrestling Receipts follows the TV — not the ship.
Dominik Mysterio holds two championships — yet Monday Night Raw treated him like Liv Morgan’s plus-one.
We break down the 2/9/26 episode: Dom handing out roses and translating for Stephanie Vaquer, Raquel Rodriguez fading into the background, Finn Balor stepping up against CM Punk, and why the Liv vs Stephanie feud needs Judgment Day to survive.
Plus: AJ Lee’s return, Rhea Ripley qualifying for Elimination Chamber, LA Knight advancing, and the multiverse chaos of El Grande Americano.
Wrestling Receipts follows the TV — not the ship.
00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,360
History is repeating itself.
Instead of Dominic Mysterio
2
00:00:03,360 --> 00:00:06,640
being the focus after his return
from injury, the focus is now on
3
00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:08,880
Liv Morgan.
He's now just the boyfriend,
4
00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:11,240
just like he was with Ria Ripley
years ago.
5
00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:16,200
The more garlic thing is now Dom
is a double champion.
6
00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:19,360
So instead of being out there to
drive his own stories and feuds,
7
00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:23,120
he was out there giving Liv
roses and an amazing call back
8
00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:26,320
to Eddie Guerrero and acting as
a translator between Stephanie
9
00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:29,200
and Liv.
Don went from looking confident
10
00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:32,759
in AAA on Saturday to just being
there on Raw.
11
00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,720
And while Don will be in the
Elimination Chamber qualifier
12
00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,600
next week, he still feels like a
body with no purpose.
13
00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:42,960
Meanwhile, Raquel was reduced to
playing darts and getting
14
00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,640
interrupted when she wanted to
talk to live.
15
00:00:46,160 --> 00:00:50,320
The fall off is unbelievable but
at least when the Lord stepped
16
00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:53,200
up and got himself a magic and
seeing Punk elimination chamber,
17
00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:56,760
too bad it it feels like a
stopgap for Punk and Roman and
18
00:00:56,760 --> 00:00:58,920
they don't.
And they didn't even hint at a
19
00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:03,400
future feud with Dom at all.
But hey, at least Dom is back,
20
00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:05,840
right?
So welcome, welcome.
21
00:01:05,840 --> 00:01:08,520
My name is Ryder Maven.
I am the host of SMCS podcast.
22
00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:12,960
I cover all things Judgment Day,
Don Blair, Raquel, then JD,
23
00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:18,360
Roxanne, Por Carlito, El Grande
Americano, Most Americanos, El
24
00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:21,360
Grande Americano, Dejanal and
AEW 2.
25
00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:22,640
Even though I'm falling off on
that.
26
00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:26,720
Tonight's review is entitled
boyfriend mode again.
27
00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,240
I was really hoping Don would
have some sort of agency here,
28
00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:34,200
but no, he's just the boyfriend
who gets hits by his girlfriend
29
00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:37,800
opponents.
Again, the only saving grace is
30
00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:41,080
that we're getting a lot of
parallels to 2024, and you all
31
00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:43,840
know what happened then.
So let's get into it.
32
00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:47,600
First, stop.
Why was Dom even there last
33
00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:50,280
week?
Why did he need to be on Raw
34
00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:52,920
last week?
Everything Liv did could have
35
00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,720
been done without him.
She could have been introduced
36
00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:58,440
by Adam Pierce, kind of like how
she was introduced by Nick Aldis
37
00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:00,520
on Smackdown.
She and Raquel could have had
38
00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:03,160
their little talk.
Liv could have caused precaled
39
00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:06,920
the match by herself.
Dom was not needed after the
40
00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,440
introduction.
He barely did anything else.
41
00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:14,720
Dom should have returned on the
AAA show and then showed up to
42
00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:18,640
Raw this week.
Some people will say that this
43
00:02:18,640 --> 00:02:21,600
was established re establishing
Liv Dom, but Liv didn't even
44
00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:24,840
mention Dom on Smackdown and if
it wasn't for social media we
45
00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:27,120
wouldn't even know that Liv
called Dom before the triple-A
46
00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:30,040
show.
A segue into Roman Reigns
47
00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:31,440
schedule.
Rome added.
48
00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:34,520
Roman added his scheduled
appearances and it looks like
49
00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:37,520
Finn will just be used as filler
to face CM Punk and Chicago.
50
00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:41,000
Eliminate change in living.
Change the chamber as we found
51
00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:45,000
out last night, we knew this was
going to happen but it sucks
52
00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:49,800
because it just looks like Fit
Roman will just be gone for a
53
00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,240
whole another month.
Have been had this view with
54
00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:55,880
with CM Punk and then he's
tossed to the side so they can
55
00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:58,400
get to their main event viewed
at WrestleMania.
56
00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:01,040
Next up we got some social media
shenanigans.
57
00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:06,080
The WWE posted live with the
caption she holds the power, not
58
00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:10,160
Lib and Dom just live.
As I keep saying this does not
59
00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:14,280
feel like a Bonnie and Clyde or
Natural Bun Born Killers run at
60
00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:16,200
all.
This is just focusing on live
61
00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,000
live live.
And then like I said the
62
00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:24,640
parallels to 2024 and how Ria
Ripley started gaining momentum
63
00:03:24,640 --> 00:03:28,440
is striking.
Also Dom and Liv has some new
64
00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:32,440
merch dropped and it was very
basic in my opinion.
65
00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:36,680
This one, just this merch just
says that hot girls love Dominic
66
00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:39,560
Mysterio, but it's just it's
basic.
67
00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:46,440
It's a crop top, but it's just
basic to compare their shirts
68
00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:50,120
that I thought had a lot more
character and a lot more
69
00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:54,440
entrance was the Dom and Lib
inspired Chucky and Tiffany
70
00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:57,840
shirt, which I actually have.
And then there's another Dom of
71
00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:00,840
those shirts where they were
just, you know, their jail and
72
00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:03,200
they had their jailhouse size.
Like, you know, Dom is from the
73
00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:10,520
619 and lives area code, which
was was hers, the 214207,
74
00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:14,320
something like that 204.
I forgot her zip code, but I
75
00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:17,279
mean her area code.
But she you know, those were
76
00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:19,440
more interesting shirts.
This one just feels really,
77
00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:21,519
really basic.
And I just said like, Hey, you
78
00:04:21,519 --> 00:04:24,720
know, it would it be me?
You know, is it just me or is
79
00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:30,120
this just the thumbs tippy and
Chucky shirt had a lot more
80
00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:36,000
character like it it like I
said, it's just very, very
81
00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:37,440
basic.
You know, if you're going to be
82
00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:39,640
promoting this couple, you know,
that's just really basic story.
83
00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:42,640
And even with this new
merchandise, this is just still
84
00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:46,960
something that focuses on live
pretty much.
85
00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:51,080
I mean, yeah, Don has some, you
know, has some role in it, but
86
00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:53,440
it's still like a more live
focus shirt.
87
00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:58,320
Like in like I was saying, you
know, the new merch just feels
88
00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:01,520
like Dom's a side character it
and it just feels this is a lip,
89
00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:05,000
you know, it's just nothing
there that screams Dom.
90
00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,800
Like all Dom's other shirts,
like his king of the luchador
91
00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:09,360
shirts that, you know, that's
Dom.
92
00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:12,800
This one is just more feeling
like Liv and they just toss Dom
93
00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:15,400
into it just to make it like a
livid Dom shirt.
94
00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:22,480
I'm also on that note, Dom
reposted Liv's Hot Girls Unite
95
00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,080
post which features the
merchandise like really quickly.
96
00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:28,720
And I have a theory on this.
He was added in this message.
97
00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:32,080
So you have Liv and Dom added in
the message.
98
00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:35,320
So Dom replied really quickly.
It was like around 10 minutes
99
00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,840
this time.
But on the contrast, the power
100
00:05:38,840 --> 00:05:42,840
post that I was mentioning
earlier, he had not reposted
101
00:05:42,840 --> 00:05:45,600
that post.
Liv reposted it and I was
102
00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:47,240
wondering if Dom would reposted
it.
103
00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:49,800
But at the time of this
recording and by the time I was
104
00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:54,000
writing my notes before RAW, he
had reposted that post and that
105
00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:57,000
was an hour.
So you see how the striking the
106
00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:00,280
difference is.
Yeah, he when he got at it, he
107
00:06:00,280 --> 00:06:03,000
replied really quickly.
But when it comes to like Liv's
108
00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:07,240
power post, like where you think
Dom would be reposting something
109
00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:10,240
like this, he didn't.
It's a large gap.
110
00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:12,560
Like right now, I don't think he
has reposted it and I don't
111
00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:15,520
think it has it coming across my
feet.
112
00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:17,920
And I have a scraper that
scraped a lot and that's how I
113
00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:20,560
get the time stamps.
And I don't think he's reposted
114
00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:22,280
that.
Go ahead and go on and get into
115
00:06:22,280 --> 00:06:23,520
Monday night.
Rao Shari.
116
00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:27,440
Let's talk about pre raw, or at
least for all starting off.
117
00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:32,280
Raquel and Liv were showing dart
shown playing darts in the
118
00:06:32,280 --> 00:06:35,160
Judgment Day clubhouse all
smiles and Dom is playing a
119
00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:37,920
video game.
There was no sign of Roxanne or
120
00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:42,160
Finn starting.
Stop booking strikes again with
121
00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,240
the Judgment Day.
Why are Raquel and Liv all
122
00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:48,240
smiles here and Dom is all
playing video games?
123
00:06:49,280 --> 00:06:52,400
Raquel was wearing the Hot Girls
Love Dominic Mysterio merge and
124
00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:56,640
if we ever get a switcheroo and
whoever called like Dom and
125
00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:59,760
Raquel, I'm cackling if that
ever happens because you know
126
00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:02,800
she's wearing that shirt.
But it also contradicts the
127
00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:06,560
tension we're supposed to feel
with Live and Raquel.
128
00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:11,840
JD McDonough shirt, the ice
shirt that Mikael was wearing on
129
00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:14,600
Smackdown on Friday, that was on
the Reaper.
130
00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:15,520
It's blinking.
You missed it.
131
00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:17,840
So if you go back and watch the
beginning of Raw and look at the
132
00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:21,160
Judgment Day segment, you see JD
shirt on that Reaper.
133
00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:25,040
And we couldn't see who Don was
playing on the PS-5, but we find
134
00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:26,960
out what who he was playing
later on.
135
00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:32,280
Next up is an in ring segment
with Liv, Dom and Tiffany.
136
00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:36,160
Liv and Dom come to the ring and
immediately the framing is
137
00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:39,120
interesting.
Dom is announced only as
138
00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:42,640
accompanying Liv Morgan.
There was no announcement that
139
00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:44,960
he was the Intercontinental or
Mega Champion.
140
00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:48,360
Michael Cole and Corey talk
about Dom's championship on
141
00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:50,360
commentary, almost like they
forgot.
142
00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:55,120
Liv starts to speak but Dom
interrupts her and hands her red
143
00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:57,760
roses and candy.
Cute moment on the surface but
144
00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:01,480
it instantly pushes him back in
full boyfriend mode.
145
00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:05,840
Liv declares she is the greatest
Royal Rumble winner of all time
146
00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:08,680
and she put Jade and Stephanie
on notice and that they're
147
00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:12,040
afraid of her.
Don finally looks like he's
148
00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:15,840
about to talk and then he gets
interrupted by Stephanie who
149
00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:18,040
scares the crap out of him
because of her pyro.
150
00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:22,760
Stephanie tells Liv to shut up,
switches to Spanish and lives
151
00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:26,280
and myths that she doesn't
understand Dom you know she went
152
00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:29,760
down to to translate.
Dom says he doesn't want to so
153
00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:32,520
Dom starts speaking Spanish to
Stephanie.
154
00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:35,679
I mean Stephanie kind of cuts
him off and by saying like he's
155
00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:38,720
a bitch.
Liv fired back calling Stephanie
156
00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:42,440
a liar says if Stephanie's so
obsessed with her man she can
157
00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:44,920
wear the hot girls love Donna
mysterious shirts but she's not
158
00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:48,120
good enough to pull it off.
Stephanie says that she hope Liv
159
00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:50,720
chooses her so she can kick her
ass.
160
00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:53,680
She starts to leave and that's
when Liv calls her a puta.
161
00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:57,520
Stephanie snaps but tries to
rush back into the ring.
162
00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:00,240
Dom gets in between them and
then Dom gets slapped.
163
00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:04,480
The visual we end on is Don
being comforted, comforted by
164
00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:06,760
Liv while Stephanie holds the
title up high.
165
00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:10,800
And the notes from this?
Dom is really completely back
166
00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,000
into that boyfriend role.
He's a heater for a few that
167
00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:18,680
does not have natural heat yet
the same job he had for Rhea
168
00:09:18,680 --> 00:09:21,840
versus Becky.
Go all the way back to 2024.
169
00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:27,400
It's the exact same thing.
This isn't Liv versus Rhea, this
170
00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:31,200
is Rhea versus Becky.
Go back and watch how Dawn was
171
00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:34,760
used to heat up that feud.
He's also being used as a
172
00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:37,960
translator and that puts
Stephanie in a role similar to
173
00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:42,120
EO Sky where she had her limited
English skills.
174
00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:43,640
This is what I brought up the
last time.
175
00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:47,080
Like when you have these limited
skills, you just always so much.
176
00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:50,560
You can say promo wise,
Stephanie's getting better, but
177
00:09:50,560 --> 00:09:53,840
it's she's still limited.
And let's be real, Dom is a
178
00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,040
double champion.
He shouldn't be reduced to
179
00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:59,640
flowers, candy and being a
language assistant.
180
00:09:59,680 --> 00:10:02,760
And he should not keep getting
slapped.
181
00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:08,040
What is it with the the WWE
putting Dom into a position
182
00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:10,760
where he gets slapped?
He's never going to get that
183
00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:14,040
lick back.
You know, at least Eddie when he
184
00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:20,000
was in his full psychotic bitch
rage with China, he was getting
185
00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,760
some licks in.
That's what made him a psychotic
186
00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:24,880
character and an abusive
character.
187
00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:28,240
If y'all remember Chyna and
Eddie and how that relationship
188
00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:31,240
ended.
But here is like he just keeps
189
00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:33,560
getting hit and then he just he
sells the hit.
190
00:10:33,560 --> 00:10:36,560
And I appreciate Dom selling for
the women because not a lot of
191
00:10:36,560 --> 00:10:38,160
guys would do that for the
women.
192
00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,080
But it gets to a point he's
always placed in this position
193
00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:46,600
and I don't like it.
And also the roses and the
194
00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:49,160
candy.
Remember that Eddie did that
195
00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:51,080
with China, and we all know what
happened there.
196
00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:55,000
And now we're going to segue
into the Judgment Day clubhouse.
197
00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:59,880
Back in the clubhouse, Raquel is
trying to talk to Lib, but then
198
00:10:59,880 --> 00:11:04,200
Dom walks in and interrupts.
Liv immediately says check it on
199
00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:06,440
Don, are you OK?
Don says he's fine, mentions
200
00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:09,040
that he has an Illumination
chamber qualifier next week and
201
00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:11,800
that he'll have to defend the
Intercontinental Championship
202
00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,160
soon.
And this is like the first time
203
00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:17,040
like Don looks like he's
recognized as a champion at this
204
00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:20,440
point.
Raquel ships the focus and says
205
00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:23,480
that they should check on Finn,
who's sitting by himself and
206
00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:26,800
just looking isolated.
Dom goes over and says I know
207
00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:29,120
you're bummed about losing the
Punkin Island, but JD is coming
208
00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:32,200
back and you're going to be
going after the tag team titles
209
00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:35,160
and everything will be OK.
Finn is shutting this down.
210
00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:38,000
He said I thought I made it
clear I'm not done with Punk and
211
00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:41,840
I want the world title.
Dom responds that he gets it,
212
00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,280
but everyone's talking about
Punk and Roman at WrestleMania
213
00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:48,680
and that window might be closed.
And then Finn says.
214
00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:52,440
Finn says he's tired of being an
Octodot and reminds on We're
215
00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:55,520
supposed to be your Family and
Dom says that we are.
216
00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:56,920
And the segment ends on the
tension.
217
00:11:56,920 --> 00:12:01,040
And my heart was breaking
because that little we are from
218
00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:03,400
Dom just really pulled at my
heartstrings there.
219
00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:07,560
What stood out in this little
segment is that Dom was playing
220
00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:11,920
Randy Orton on the PS-5 S Either
Don's going to advance in its
221
00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:15,280
qualifier because Randy Orton's
in the Elimination Chamber or
222
00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:17,200
he'll be facing him soon.
Something like that.
223
00:12:18,280 --> 00:12:21,760
Raquel still cannot say what she
actually wants to say to live.
224
00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:26,120
She got interrupted on on
Saturday and that's Saturday on
225
00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:29,000
Friday and then here she's
getting interrupted here and
226
00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:30,720
then she still didn't have a lot
to do.
227
00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,040
She was just going to say
something to live and they got
228
00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:35,960
cut off.
Dom comes off a little
229
00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:39,040
insensitive, pushing Fin towards
the tags when Finn is chasing
230
00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:42,760
the world titles.
Dom stuff looks like it was
231
00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:46,400
possibly and where the spot
where we're saying usually keeps
232
00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:48,600
hers.
It may or may not.
233
00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:50,240
That might be a little reach
there.
234
00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:53,080
Finn says.
That I thought we were fanning
235
00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:54,960
and Dom replying.
We are was like the first
236
00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:58,720
emotional beat, genuine
emotional beat that we've had
237
00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:01,680
from Dom since his return.
Like that's something where you
238
00:13:01,680 --> 00:13:04,880
could build something off of,
but it's still Dom's just kind
239
00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:07,680
of circling his view, but not in
his view.
240
00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:10,240
You know, he's just he's talking
around it.
241
00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,240
He's not confronting it.
Next up, we're going to segue
242
00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:18,120
into Ben Punk and Adam Pierce.
Michael Cole is in the ring
243
00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:22,600
waiting to interview CM Punk
when Finn interrupts and
244
00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:24,760
snatches the mic and immediately
the tone changes.
245
00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:28,160
Finn says everyone is focused on
the future and everyone is
246
00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:31,640
focused and forgetting about
what happened 2 weeks ago when
247
00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:34,760
he left Punk lying in a ring
like a wounded dog.
248
00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:38,760
He says seeing Punk is hurt
because I'm the one that hurt
249
00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:40,720
him.
Then he goes straight at the
250
00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:42,760
Roman problem.
Finn says that he's not stepping
251
00:13:42,760 --> 00:13:45,400
aside so Roman Reigns can slide
in and take advantage of his
252
00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:48,400
kill and he reminds everyone
that that's not wouldn't be the
253
00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:50,560
first time Roman took advantage
of him.
254
00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:54,520
He brings up the night when the
top rope top rope broke when he
255
00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:57,960
had Roman beat in the middle of
the ring and that is a nice
256
00:13:58,040 --> 00:14:02,080
history call back there.
Finn says he's tired of being an
257
00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:04,840
after dog, tired of being pissed
around and he wants him Punk in
258
00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:07,040
the World Heavyweight
Championship and he wants it at
259
00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:10,360
Elimination Chamber.
Punk beats, you know, he says
260
00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:13,480
Punk beat me on my home turf.
Now I'm going to beat him on his
261
00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:15,400
scrap that.
I mean scrap daddy.
262
00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:18,360
Adam Pierce comes out with the
future world champions and shuts
263
00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:21,240
it down.
Says Finn had his shot and it's
264
00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:24,320
too late and find it's like
firing back saying just like the
265
00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:27,200
Rumble because remember he said
that it was stood out of the
266
00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:29,760
rumble but other people are
allowed to enter into the
267
00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:32,640
Rumble.
Pierce flat out says Punk and
268
00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:35,080
roam another WrestleMania main
event and the championship is
269
00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:37,600
already spoken for.
He tells Finn to leave or he'll
270
00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:41,320
be escorted out.
That's when Punk's music hits.
271
00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:43,840
Pierce tries to stop him but
Punk gets in the ring anyway
272
00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:46,240
then backs off to the announce
table.
273
00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:49,120
Punk tells Finn he's not off to
the thought, he's the first
274
00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:51,520
thought and says Penn doesn't
deserve the title shot, he
275
00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:55,000
deserves an ass beating.
Penn refuses to fight without
276
00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:56,720
state.
He says put the title on the
277
00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:58,360
line and I'll finish what I
started.
278
00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:02,680
Punk acid that he'll beat.
He beat been in Ireland and
279
00:15:02,680 --> 00:15:05,120
he'll beat him in Chicago.
Pierce is panicking about
280
00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:07,800
jeopardizing WrestleMania, but
Punk forces the issue.
281
00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:09,880
Either give him the match or
he'll spend the night chasing
282
00:15:09,880 --> 00:15:11,440
fan to kick his teeth down this
throat.
283
00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:17,480
Pierce relents and the match is
official for Elimination Chamber
284
00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:22,640
between CM Punk and Velour now.
I gotta say that Finn's promo
285
00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:25,160
work is amazing.
I love this for him.
286
00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,880
I'm actually loving that he's
able to do this and just be able
287
00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:31,680
to talk and do much more than
just being a demented demon.
288
00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:36,280
He is in his element here.
The Roman top rope reference was
289
00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:38,080
a perfect use of long term
history.
290
00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:42,640
Anybody knows how they're in the
Pandem era then you know the top
291
00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:44,640
rope broken.
That's how dot Finn lost.
292
00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:47,320
Seriously, it was bad.
Like that was bad for Finn and
293
00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:50,400
it kind of shunted Finn all the
way down the card.
294
00:15:50,880 --> 00:15:53,840
But I'm glad that they that Finn
referenced that.
295
00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:58,160
This still feels like a stop gap
because Roman can't be bothered
296
00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:01,600
to show up until March and Mania
season, but at least Finn is
297
00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:03,600
going to be going for the title
instead of being shoved to the
298
00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:06,680
side.
And here's a key contrast.
299
00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,200
Finn actually sounded like a
main main character.
300
00:16:09,560 --> 00:16:11,840
Finn was stepping up.
Finn was calling his shot.
301
00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:16,440
Finn is wanting the title.
Compare that to Dom, who is just
302
00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:19,360
just doing basic stuff here,
boyfriend stuff here.
303
00:16:19,400 --> 00:16:22,920
Like he, he's a champ, but he's
not, you know, he's not getting
304
00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:26,280
you like saying he was any kind
of challengers or avoiding
305
00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:29,360
challengers because he to heal.
You know, he's not focused on
306
00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:32,120
his championship.
It's just periphery stuff right
307
00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:34,840
now.
Now it could come more in the
308
00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:38,040
future when he gets next week
but still he had he.
309
00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:39,800
This is the second week of his
return.
310
00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:43,360
He should be doing much more
rock wickets.
311
00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:48,040
AJ Lee return baited Becky Lynch
into a women's IC title match.
312
00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:53,520
The Usos both beat Akira, Tazara
and Otis and their entertain
313
00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:56,600
their tag team championships and
people's need to stop sleeping
314
00:16:56,600 --> 00:16:59,320
on Akira.
Ria Ripley qualified for
315
00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:03,160
Elimination Chamber and Lyra was
done filthy by getting pinned by
316
00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:06,000
Bria when Ivy now was there.
I don't like Ivy now getting
317
00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:10,839
pinned here either but why are
you pinning Lyra here?
318
00:17:10,839 --> 00:17:15,560
That was just filthy.
Natty and Maxine no contest.
319
00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:19,440
Because Natty was beating
Maxine's ass and when AJ came
320
00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:21,560
out to help Maxine, Becky came
up.
321
00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:26,000
Becky came up and blasted AJ Von
Evans and El Grande Americano
322
00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:31,560
Original when Yvonne against Los
Americanos and Javonne Evans.
323
00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:35,400
Mid Air Center was crazy.
And how the hell is El Gande
324
00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:40,480
Americano Original a face in WWE
and a heel in AAA but El Gande
325
00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:45,360
Americano Ludwig Edition is a
heel in WWE and a face in AAA?
326
00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:53,280
That is crazy and my head hurt.
It's unbelievable play night
327
00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:57,720
advanced after a math man attack
theory and that's when Lyle and
328
00:17:57,720 --> 00:18:00,040
I was able to pin theory to
advance in the Elimination
329
00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:03,120
Chamber qualifier.
And I'll put some final raw
330
00:18:03,120 --> 00:18:05,280
thoughts.
Roxanne was not there.
331
00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:08,000
Hopefully she's OK and I injured
and she's just taking a night
332
00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,280
off.
I really hate how Raquel was
333
00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:12,920
reduced to nothing.
From main title to background is
334
00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:15,360
just sickening.
Like she should be doing a
335
00:18:15,360 --> 00:18:18,040
little bit more.
Maybe going to sneak and go to
336
00:18:18,120 --> 00:18:19,960
Adam Pierce to get into one of
these qualifiers?
337
00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:23,360
I don't know but she should be
doing other than just playing
338
00:18:23,360 --> 00:18:26,400
darts.
Dawn is fully in boyfriend mode
339
00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:28,480
again.
The parallels to the Rea era is
340
00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:30,080
glaring.
You cannot ignore those
341
00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:33,040
parallels.
Double chance but still no
342
00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:36,240
personal feud.
At least during the Rio era.
343
00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:39,400
Dawn was going after his dad
again and while it was him going
344
00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:43,240
to the well a little you know
one too many times, at least he
345
00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:47,760
had a feud that was for him and
was centered on him.
346
00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:50,600
And he was forging some
alliances with other people like
347
00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:53,080
Santos and Andrade before
Andrade turned on them.
348
00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:58,960
Finn and finally feels legit
even though he's a stopgap and
349
00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:02,440
there was no hints to Dom if it
to Finn's future.
350
00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:06,240
Like, yeah, we get the emotional
beat beats what Dom and Finn,
351
00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:08,040
but we don't see nothing that
can.
352
00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:09,760
It's going to start the feud.
Like how?
353
00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:12,720
How is this feud going to start?
Yeah, we have a lot of history
354
00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:14,600
here where it should have
started already.
355
00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:18,280
But the feud needs to get going.
You know, why wasn't Dom allowed
356
00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:21,840
to call out Finn for allowing CM
Punk to call him garbage?
357
00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:24,880
Like start on that.
Like, why wasn't that brought
358
00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:25,920
up?
You see what I mean?
359
00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:29,120
It's just things like that that
should have been addressed by
360
00:19:29,120 --> 00:19:31,800
Dom.
What you could, you know, he
361
00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:34,320
doesn't even have to go at it.
So hardly like he doesn't have
362
00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:36,960
to be super accusatory.
Just bring it up casually.
363
00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:41,480
And like I said weeks ago, the
Living Stephanie feud is
364
00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:43,720
heatless.
They have to use other people
365
00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:49,440
and it shouldn't be like that.
At least with Rhea and
366
00:19:49,440 --> 00:19:52,120
Charlotte, there was some
history there.
367
00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:55,880
Yeah, it the build was
lackluster, but they had
368
00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:58,560
established history on their
own.
369
00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:02,720
Becky and Bria needed Dom to
heat it up because it was just
370
00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:05,480
so dry.
And the same thing happened with
371
00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:09,080
Charlotte and Tiffany.
They had to get super personal
372
00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:11,040
to get any kind of heat on that
match.
373
00:20:11,320 --> 00:20:14,760
And that was outside Cafe.
That wasn't even in Cafe.
374
00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:17,840
It only heated up because they
went outside of Cafe to heat it
375
00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:19,840
up.
So this is what's happening with
376
00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:21,880
Stephanie.
Stephanie has limited English.
377
00:20:22,240 --> 00:20:24,600
They're going to bring in Dom.
He's a translator.
378
00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:26,880
They're probably going to have
Stephanie talk about how he's a
379
00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:31,880
cheater and all the typical
things they go against Dom
380
00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:33,600
about.
He's a cheater, he's a scumbag,
381
00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:37,480
he's greasy, yadda yadda yadda.
And that's how you build a feud
382
00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,880
because you keys got that
proximity to live.
383
00:20:41,120 --> 00:20:44,640
And if they bring Raquel into
that, then you got Raquel's
384
00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:48,840
history with with Liv to heat up
the feud.
385
00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:51,920
And then Stephanie doesn't have
this connection with Lib,
386
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,560
Stephanie has this connection
with Raquel.
387
00:20:55,800 --> 00:21:01,080
So it's the heat the the feud
isn't set properly between Lib
388
00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:02,720
and Stephanie.
This is something that should
389
00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:07,080
have been building probably
since they've returned.
390
00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:09,720
Yeah, they hinted at it, like
right after they returned, but
391
00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:12,080
then they dropped it and then
only now bringing it back.
392
00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:14,280
So it's heedless.
And now everybody else got to
393
00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:16,560
build this feud up.
And like I said, I don't really
394
00:21:16,560 --> 00:21:18,600
like how Raquel was done filthy
here.
395
00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:21,800
Like, she should be doing more.
You know, as much as I complain
396
00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:24,240
about Nom, Raquel should be
getting some of this stuff, too.
397
00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:29,240
She's had, she had a rough week
where she lost on Monday, she
398
00:21:29,240 --> 00:21:33,480
was eliminated at the Royal
Rumble, she lost on Monday, she
399
00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:37,240
lost on Friday here he could
barely have two sentences put
400
00:21:37,240 --> 00:21:43,240
together and that was raw.
Next week we do have Dom in the
401
00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:47,200
Elimination Chamber qualifier
against Gunther and Devon Evans.
402
00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:51,720
I'm wondering if Dragon League
cost Gunther here because Dragon
403
00:21:51,720 --> 00:21:55,600
Lee was choked out by Gunther
and I'm wondering if Dragon Lee
404
00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:59,040
takes out Gunther.
It remains to be seen if Devon
405
00:21:59,040 --> 00:22:02,200
will win or Dom will win.
It'll be interesting here.
406
00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:07,320
Also, McHale needs to get into
one of these qualifiers.
407
00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:09,840
It looks like there's going to
be 6 spots for the qualifiers
408
00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:14,240
and right now we're only up to
for next week we're going to be
409
00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:17,800
at 2 for the women.
So Raquel needs to get slipped
410
00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:19,600
into one of those slots some
kind of way.
411
00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:22,640
If she's not in this Elimination
Chamber, I am going to be sick
412
00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:25,680
to myself because you know,
you're going to fill it up and
413
00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:29,360
then Raquel's just going to be
standing there being interrupted
414
00:22:29,360 --> 00:22:33,160
from telling Liv how she feels
until I guess she cost Liv.
415
00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:35,320
But you see what I mean?
This is one of those pathways
416
00:22:35,320 --> 00:22:38,200
where I was saying like every
path that I see for Raquel,
417
00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:41,240
she's losing.
And here they seems like they're
418
00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:44,320
changing what Triple H said for
the Elimination Chamber because
419
00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,880
they say whoever the Royal
Rubber member chooses opposite,
420
00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:50,360
like what Liv chooses opposite
goes to the opposite title.
421
00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:53,960
So what are they going to do?
Like, is Raquel is going to get
422
00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:56,440
in there?
Like, is OK, think of it this
423
00:22:56,440 --> 00:22:59,240
way.
Is Liv going to put off choosing
424
00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:03,280
who she was to fight until
Elimination Chamber?
425
00:23:03,280 --> 00:23:08,240
And maybe that's how Raquel,
like, decides to choose to be.
426
00:23:08,280 --> 00:23:12,400
Raquel chooses Stephanie, and
then this is when Liv chooses
427
00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:14,680
Stephanie.
And then she throws her weight
428
00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:16,720
around because she's a World
Rumble winner.
429
00:23:16,720 --> 00:23:18,880
And that breaks what The thing
is.
430
00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:21,240
You see what I mean?
Like that's the only pathway I
431
00:23:21,240 --> 00:23:25,440
kind of see now.
Hopefully we get some more build
432
00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:28,160
with CM Punk and Finn.
Like they need to start brawling
433
00:23:28,160 --> 00:23:30,160
it out.
Things like that get more heat
434
00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:31,920
to it.
So it does you know, even
435
00:23:31,960 --> 00:23:34,880
because even if it is a stop
gap, you know, it needs to be a
436
00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:39,440
showing out moment for for Finn.
Hopefully Roxanne is back.
437
00:23:39,440 --> 00:23:41,400
Hopefully she's not injured.
I haven't heard anything.
438
00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:43,240
I haven't seen anything.
I haven't seen anything from
439
00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:48,440
Sean Ross Sapp or any of the
more legit people.
440
00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:51,720
I don't even think like they
melt or said anything regarding
441
00:23:51,720 --> 00:23:54,000
Roxanne.
Everything was like focus more
442
00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:58,280
on Braun Breaker, who has that
hernia and had his had that
443
00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:02,600
certainly more legit people.
I don't even think like they
444
00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:05,000
melt or said anything regarding
Roxanne.
445
00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:09,280
Everything was like focus more
on Braun Breaker who has that
446
00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:11,320
hernia and had his had that
certain.
447
00:24:11,320 --> 00:24:15,600
So prayers get better and
Chelsea Green who has a bruised
448
00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:17,560
ankle and hopefully she gets
better.
449
00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:22,040
Just hopefully now that we don't
keep Dom stuck in into the boy
450
00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:27,000
because like I said, we Don
fans, we've been there plenty of
451
00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:29,880
time with Don being the
boyfriend role and he doesn't
452
00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:31,640
need to be that.
He's a double champ and he's
453
00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:33,960
probably not going to be a
double champ for much longer.
454
00:24:33,960 --> 00:24:36,960
So he know this should be a
firming up.
455
00:24:38,480 --> 00:24:44,160
He's shoring up his legacy as a
before they start taking it and
456
00:24:44,160 --> 00:24:48,760
that was wrong.
Let me get into some questions
457
00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:56,800
and some comments.
Some questions and some
458
00:24:56,800 --> 00:24:57,400
comments.